Question

Cucumoviruses is a:

• A. Aphid borne stylet borne virus
• B. Aphid borne non-stylet borne virus
• C. Thrips borne stylet borne virus
• D. Thrips borne non-stylet borne virus

Hint:

Cucumoviruses (like Cucumber Mosaic Virus) are transmitted by aphids in a non-persistent, stylet-borne manner, meaning the virus is carried on the surface of the mouthparts and transmitted during brief feeding probes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Plant viruses rely on insect vectors for transmission.
The mode of transmission can be classified based on where the virus is carried on the vector and how long it remains infectious.
Stylet-borne (non-persistent) transmission occurs when virus particles adhere to the cuticle lining of the insect's mouthparts (stylet) during brief probes and are quickly transmitted to new plants.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The genus Cucumovirus (which includes the Cucumber Mosaic Virus, CMV) consists of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses with a wide host range.
These viruses are transmitted primarily by aphid vectors (such as Myzus persicae and Aphis gossypii).
The transmission occurs in a non-persistent, stylet-borne manner.
During short probing feeds on an infected plant, the virus particles adhere to the inner surface of the aphid's stylet.
When the aphid moves to a healthy plant and probes the epidermal cells, these virus particles are mechanically introduced into the new plant tissue.
Because the virus does not enter the aphid's salivary glands or replicate inside the vector, the aphid remains infective for only a short period (minutes to hours).
Therefore, Cucumoviruses are classified as aphid-borne, stylet-borne viruses.

Step 3: Final Answer
Cucumoviruses are aphid-borne, stylet-borne viruses.